Machine for shaping boxes.



j Oo i@ l No. 700,843. Patented May 27, |902.

W. S. SMITH. MACHINE FOR SHAPING BOXES.

(Application mea Nov. 27', 1901.)

(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-$heet I.

No. 700,843. Patented May 27, |902.

W. S. SMITH.

MACHINE FR SHAPING BOXES. (Application led Nov. 27, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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VINFIELD S. SMITH, OF FAVTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO PHILIP STANLEY SMITH, OF`PHILADELPIIIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

`NIACHINEFOR SHAPING BOXES.

PECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,843, dated May 27, 1902. Application filed November 27, 1901. Serial No. 83.890. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WINFIELD S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Machines for Shaping Boxes, of which the following is a specifica-` tion. Y

This invention relates to box-shapin g Vmachines, and especially to machines forimparting a true rectangular shape to boxes made of paper or pasteboard.

In the manufacture of paper boxes it is found to be a most difficult matter to impart a true rectangular shape to the boxes after the blanks have been bent up into shape and the corners of the box stayed owing to the natural tendency of the sides and ends of the box to spring or bulge outward, and this is especially true of paper boxes that are lined or covered owing to the fact that the moisture contained in the paste employed in attaching the lining or covering paper to the box destroys or impairs the rigidity or, stiffness of the walls of the box, the result being that said walls spring or bulge outward between the corners of the box, as before explained.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a novel, simple, and efficient machine by means of which a true rectangular shape is imparted to the box in such manner that when the box is finished it will retain such shape and will not thereafter be liable to lose it.

To these ends myinvention consists in the features and in the construction, combination, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims following theV description, reference being had to the accompanyingrdrawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 of the complete machine, showing a completely finished and shaped box in the act of being ejected from the machine. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View. Fig. 6 is a detail diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the presser-blocks.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustratinga modified construction of presser-block, and Fig. Sis a sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. .7.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l indicates a Hat horizontal table of any suitable or preferred construction supported on legs or nprights 2. Formed in the upper side of the table 1 are four pairs of guideways 3, said grooves being preferably dovetailed in cross-section and the grooves of each pair being formed parallel with each other, the four pairs of grooves being disposed at right angles to one another and extending frorn the edge of the tablel to a cengrooves or 6o tral rectangular aperture 4 formed therein.

In one pair of the grooves 3 are movably arranged two blocks 5, dovetailed in cross-section and adjustably fitted in said grooves. Fixed transversely to the blocks 5 is a crossbar 7, preferably of metal, in the inner vertical face of which is formed a longitudinal dovetailed groove-8. Adapted to be detachably secured to said cross-bar is al presserblock 9, preferably of wood, said block at its inneror free edge being convex or formed on the arc of a circle, as indicated at lO and as most' clearly shown in Fig.` l of the drawings. To the inner edge of the presser-block 9 is attached by screws or by other suitable means a metallic strip 11, dovetailed in cross-section to t the dovetailed groove 8 in the cross-bar 7 in which said strip is fitted and held and in which it is adapted to be freely inserted and removed endwise, whereby the presser-block may be freely inserted in-and detached from the cross-bar. The presser-block 9 is held in its adjusted position by a bolt and nut 6, that passes through the cross-bar 7 and through a slot 6a in the table 1. In the arrangement just described the presser-block'. 9Yis designed to be adjusted to a fixed position suitable for shaping boxes of a given size and is intended to remain in such adjusted position as long as boxes of such size are to be shaped on the machine, and I shall hereinafter. therefore, for the purpose of differentiating between said presser block and the other presserblocks employed in the machine, refer to the presser-block 9 as a fixed presser-block, notwithstanding the fact that it is adjustable ICO toward and from the center of the table in the manner before described. In each of the three other pairs of grooves or guideways '3 are arranged dovetailed blocks or guides 12, similar in all respects to the blocks or guides 5, before described, excepting that they are preferably longer, and rigidly secured to each pairl of such blocks or guides 12 is a trans- Verse cross-bar 13, to which are detachably secured presser-blocks 14 in precisely the same manner in which the presser-blocks 10 are attached to the cross-bars 7, the construction of the presser-blocks 9 and 14 being identical. Each of the presser-blocks referred to is undercut or recessed on its inner convex orv curved edge, as indicated at 15 and as most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings, for the vpurpose hereinafter explained. To the rear ends of each pair of blocks or guides 12 is rigidly secured a strut 16, to the center of which is clamped a hook 17, and engaging said hook is one end of a chain, cord, or flexible connection 18, which leads over a guidepulley 19, journaled in the table 1 adjacent tothe central aperture 4, and from thence leads to a point centrally under said aperture 4, where the three chains or flexible connections 18 are united and connected to one end of a single chain or link 20. In order to permit the chains or fiexible connections 18 to pass freely beneath the presser-blocks 14 and cross-bars 13, said presser-blocks and crossbars are grooved on their under sides, as at 21, through which grooves the chains are adapted to freely travel. To the outer end of each cross-bar 13 is attached one end of a coiledspring 22, the other end of which is fixed to the table 1, said springs operating to normally hold the presser-blocks 14 retracted or withdrawn from the central aperture 4. .Iournaled at one end on a fixed shaft 23, supported by the legs of the machine, is a treadle 24, provided at its free end with a foot-pedal 25, and attached to said treadle intermediate the ends of the latter is the lower end of the chain or flexible connection 20.

Adapted to normally close the aperture 4 is a hinged box-support 26, consisting of a flat platform, hinged at one side, as at 27, to one of the side Walls of the aperture 4 and adapted when raised to close said aperture and lie flush with the upper surface of the table 1. Attached to the under side of the platform or box-support 26 is a cam or a depending foot 28, having a curved or inclined face 29 for the purpose hereinafter explained. Attached to the strut 16 of one of the sliding carriages carrying the presser-blocks 14 is a depending stud-bolt 30, which is adapted to reciprocate in aslot 31, formed in the table 1, (see Fig. 5,) and swiveled intermediate its ends onsaid stud-bolt is an oscillating latch 32, provided at one end'with a hook-shaped extremity 33. Fastened to the under side ofthe table 1 is a U-shaped strap or guide 36, in which is slidably arranged a pusher-bar34, the extremity of which is bent' downward in position to engage the cam 28, pendent from the box-support 26. Said pusher-bar is provided at its outer end with a hook-shaped extremity 35, and attached to said bar is one end of a coiled spring 36", the other end of which is attached to the table land operates to move the pusherbar in a direction to engage the cam 28 and vraise the box-support 26 to a horizontal position flush with the table. Fixed to the under side of the table l in the path of movement of the latch 32 is a cam 37, consisting of a plate slottedas at 37a, and adjustably secured to the table by a bolt 38said plate having an inclined face 39with which the end of the latch 32 is adapted to engage, and whereby the latter is oscillated about its fulcrum when the presser-blocks are retracted.

The operation of my box-shaping machine is as follows: The box after having been bent into shape and stayed is-placed upon the support 26. The operator then depresses the treadle and through the medium of the chains 2O and 18 draws the presser-blocks toward each other, thereby thrusting the presser-blocks against the sides of the box and bending or forcing the latter inward beyond the planes of the corners of the box, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. After this result has been accom plished the operator removes his foot from the treadle, whereupon the springs 22 immediately operate to retract the presser-blocks. As the blocks are retracted the latch 32 is also retracted and draws back with it the pusher-bar 34 away from and from under the cam 28, whereupon the box-support will immediately drop by gravity and discharge the box. As the presser-blocks approach the end of their outward movement the end of the latch 32 engag'es the inclined `face 39 of the cam 37 and is oscillated about its pivot, so as to disengage and release the pusher-bar 34, whereupon the spring 36 thrusts the pusherbar forward and causes it to engage the cam 28 and raise the box-support 26 to a position flush with the table 1 in position to receive another box. When the presser-blocks are again moved forward to shape a box, the hooked end 33 of the latch 32 snaps or slips over the hooked end Vof the pusher-bar 34 in readiness to again retract the latter and drop the box-support wheu'the pressure is removed from the box. When pressure is imparted to the sides and ends of vthe box in the manner and by the means described, the sides and ends of the box are pressed inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, and when the pressure is removed from the box said sides and ends assume a perfectly rectangular shape and are prevented from bulging or bowing outward.

I have shown one of the presser-blocks as fixed or stationary; but I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to such an IOO IIO

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arrangement, it being obvious that all or only a portion of the presser-blocks may be made movable.

Instead of constructing the presser-blocks in one solid piece in the manner before described I may construct each block of three separate pieces or sections, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, Fig. 7 being a horizontal sectional view of one of the three-part blocks complete. In such arrangement each presser-block consists of three separate sections 40, 41, and 42, each of which has a convex outer or pressing face, and its opposite face is provided with a dovetailed strip 43, that is adjustably fitted in a correspondinglyshaped groove 44 in the carriage 45. Formed in each of the sections 40, 4l, and 42 is a bushing 46, thronghwhich passes a right and left threaded adjusting-screw 47. The bushing in the central section 41 is unthreaded, while the bushings in the sections 40 and 42 are threaded internally to engage the right and left threads on the adjusting-screw, and the latter is held against longitudinal movement in said central bushing, while free to rotate therein, by a screw 4S, that is screwed into said bushing and engages at its end a circumferential groove 49, formed in the adjusting-screw. It will be manifest that by turning the adjusting-screw in one direction or the other the outer sections 40 and 42 of the presser-block will be adjusted toward or from the central section 41 to accommodate the presser-blocks to boxes of different sizes.

Having described my invention, what I claim is l 1. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of means for pressing opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, substantially as described.

In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of means for pressing the sides and ends of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of means for simultaneously pressing opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box,of means for pressing opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, said means being constructed to apply the pressure first at a point central of said sides and gradually approaching the ends thereof, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of means for pressing opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, said means being constructed to apply the pressure first at a point central of said sides and gradually and progressively applied to each side of the center to the ends of said sides, substantially as described. v

G. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of means for pressing opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to normally assume in the finished box, said means being constructed to apply the pressure to the upper edges of said sides, substantially as described. A

7. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of presserblocks arranged to move toward and from the box-support, means for moving said presserblocks toward the box-support with a positive pressure,and means for automatically retracting the presser-blocks, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for shaping boxes, the coinbination with a movable support for the box, of presser-blocks arranged to move toward and from the box-support, means-.for moving the presser-blocks toward the box-support, means for automatically retracting the presserblocks,and means constructed to drop the box from between the presser-blocks when the latter are retracted, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a movable support for the box,

.the box, of presser-blocks, means for moving the presser-blocks toward the box-support, means for automatically moving the presserblocks away from the box-support, means actuated by the retractile movement ot' the presser-blocks for releasing the box-support Vto permit it to drop and discharge thebox, vand `means for automatically restoring the box-support to its normal position, substantially as described. I l

11. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box,of presserblocks arranged to move toward and from the *box-support, said presser-blocks having convex operative faces, means for moving.

said presser-blocks toward the box-support and means for automatically retracting the presser-blocks, substantially as described.

12. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box,of presserblocks arranged to move toward and from the box-support, said presser-blocks having conlOO IIO

Vex undercut operative faces, means for moving said presser-blocks toward the box-supportand means for automatically retracting the presser-blocks, substantially as described.

13. In a machine for shaping boxes, the combination with a support for the box, of astationary presser-block arranged on one side of the box-support, a movable presser-block arranged on the opposite side of the box-support, means for moving the movable presserblock toward the box-support and means for automatically retracting the movable presserblock, substantially as described. y

14. Inamachine forshaping boxes,the combination with a support for the box, of a stationary presser-block adjustably arranged on one side of the box-support,a movable presserblock arranged on the opposite side of the box-support, means for moving the movable presser-block toward the box-support and means for automatically retracting the movable presser-block, substantially as described.

15. In a machine for shaping boxes,the combination with a support for the box, of a stationary presser-block detachably fixed on one side of the box-support, a movable presserblock detachably arranged on the'opposite side of the box-support, means for moving the movable presser-block toward the boxsupport, and means for automatically retracting the movable presser-block, substantially as described.

l 6. In a machine forshapingboxes,the combination With a support for the box, of a stationary presser-block arranged on one side of the box-support, movable presser-blocks arranged on the remaining sides of the box-support, means for moving the movable presserblocks toward the box-support, and means for automatically retracting the movable presserblocks, substantially as described.

17. In a machine forshaping boxes,the combination with an apertured table, of a boxsupport arranged in said aperture, presserblocks slidably arranged on the table so as to be moved toward and from the box-support, means for moving the presser-blocks toward the box-support to press the box, means for automatically retracting the presser-blocks, and mechanism actuated during the retractile movement of the presser-blocks for releasing the box-support to permit it to drop and discharge the box, substantially as described.

18. Inamachine for shaping boxes,the combination with an apertured table, of a boxsupport hinged at one side in said aperture, presser-blocks slidably arranged on the table so as to be moved toward and from the boxsupport, means for moving the presser-blocks toward the box-support, means for automatically retracting the presser-blocks, and mechanism actuated by the retractile movement of the presser-blocks for releasing the box-support whereby the latter may swing downward and discharge the box, substantially as described.

19. Ina machine for shaping boxes,the combination with an apertured table, of a boxsupport hinged at one side in said aperture, presser-blocks slidably arranged on the table so as to be moved toward and from the boxsupport, means for moving the presser-blocks toward the box-supports, means for automatblocks toward the box-support, means for retracting the presser-blocks, a pusher-bar arranged to engage the pendent cam'to raise the box-support, a spring for moving the pusherbar in the proper direction to raise the boxsupport, and mechanism actuated by the retractile movement of the presser-blocks for withdrawing the pusher-bar to permit the box-support to swing downward,substantially as described. y

2l. In a machine for shapingboxes,the combination with an apertured table, of a boxsupport hinged at one side in said aperture and provided n its under side with a pendent cam, presser-blocks slidably arranged on the table so as to be vmoved toward and from the box-support, means for moving the presserblocks toward the box-support, means for retracting the presser-blocks, a pusher-bar arranged to reciprocate in a suitable support and adapt-ed to engage at one end the pendent cam, a hook on the opposite end of the pusherbar, an oscillatory latch movable with one of the presser-blocks and arranged to engage and withd raw the pusher-bar to drop the box-support when the presser-blocks are retracted, a spring for moving the pusher-bar in a direction to raise the box-support, and a cam arranged in the path of the latch and operating to oscillate the latter and release the pusherbar, substantially as described.

22. In a machine for shapingboxes,the combination with an apertured table, of a boxsupport hinged at one side in said aperture and provided on its under side with a pendent loo IIO

cam, presser-blocks slidably arranged on the table so as to be moved toward and from the box-support, means for'retracting the presserblocks, a pusher-bar arranged to reciprocate in a suitable support and adapted to engage at one end the pendent cam, a hook on the opposite end of the pusher-bar, an oscillatory latch movable withone of the presser-blocks and provided at one end with a hook adapted to engage the hook on the pusher-bar and Withdraw the latter to drop the box-support, a spring for throwing said latch into engagement with the pusher-bar, an adjustable cam arranged in the path of the latch and operating to cause the latter to release the pusherbar, and a spring for moving the pusher-bar in a direction to raise the box-support, substantially as described.

23. Ina machine for shaping boxes,tl1e combination with a table provid ed with a box-su pport, of sliding carriages movably arranged in ways on the table so as to be moved toward and from the box-support, and carrying presserblocks,atreadle, flexible connections between the treadle and said carriages and operating when the treadle is depressed to move the carriages and presser-blocks toward the boxsupport, and springs for retracting the carriages and presser-blocks, substantially as described.

2l. Inamachineforshapingboxes,thecombination with a table provided with a box-support, of sliding carriages movably arranged in ways in the table so as to be moved toward and from the box-support, presser-blocks removably carried by said carriages, a treadle, ilexible connections leading from the treadle to the carriages, guide -pulleys over which the flexible connections pass, said treadle operating when depressed to move the carriages and presser-blocks toward the box-support, and springs for retracting the carriages and presser-blocks, substantially as described.

25. In a machine for shaping boxes,the combination with a table provided with a box-support and having grooved ways extending at right angles to the box-support, blocks movably arranged in said ways and carryin g crossbars, each of said cross-bars being provided on its inner face with a longitudinal dovetailed groove, presser-blocks each having attached to its outer edge a dovetailed strip, said strips being removably fitted in said grooves, a treadle and intermediate connections for moving the presser-blocks toward the boxsupport, and springs arranged to movethe presser-blocks away from the box-support, substantially as described.

26. In a machine for shaping boxes,the cornbination with a support for the box, of carriages arranged to move toward and from the support, a presser device carried by each carriage, each presser device comprising separate blocks adj ustable toward and from each other, and means for moving said presser-devices toward the box-support with a positive pressure.

27. Inamachine forshapingboxes,the combination with a support for the box, 'of presser devices arranged to move toward and from the support, each presser device comprising separate blocks adjustable toward and from each other, and means for moving said presser devices toward the box-support with a positive pressure.

2S. In a machine of the class described, a

presser-block formed of independently-adj ustable sections, each section having a pressing-face constructed to press the side of a box inward beyond the position said side is designed to assume in the finished box.

29. In a machine of thevclass described, a presser-block formed of independently-adjustable sections, each section having a pressing-face constructed to press the side of a box inward beyond the position said side is designed to assume in the finished box, and means for adjusting said sections toward and from each other.

30. In a machine of the class described, a

presser-block comprising a fixed central section, and adjustable end sections. 3l. In a machine of the class described, a presser-block comprising a fixed central section and adjustable end sections, and means for moving the end sections toward and from the central section.

32. In a machine of the class described, a presser -block having an outwardly-curved pressing-face adapted to press the side of a box inward beyond the position it is designed to assu me in the finished box.

33. In a machine of the class described, a presser-block having a convex pressing-face adapted to press the side of a box inward beyond the position it is designed to assume in the iinished box.

34. In a machine of the class described, a presser-block having a curved or convex edge the under side of which is undercut or recessed.

35. In a machine for shaping boxes, means arranged to act upon the sides of the box and bend said sides inward beyond the position they are designed to assume in the iinished box.

36. In a machine for shaping paper boxes, means arranged to act upon the sides of the box and bend said sides inward beyond the position they are designed to assume in the finished box, and means for actuating said bending means.

37. In a machine for shaping boxes, means for simultaneously bending opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to assume in the finished box.

3S. Inamachine for shapingboxes,the conibination with a support for the box, of means for bending opposite sides of the box inward beyond the position they are designed to assume in the inished box, and means for actuating said bending means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VINFIELD S. SMITH.

Witnesses:

EDWARD W. BLODGETT, j .FLORENCE E. BATES.

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